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16 April 2014

It appears government’s attempt to scrap the book and research
allowances paid to teachers of the nation’s tertiary institutions will
not come easy Polytechnic Teachers have also indicated their resolve to
hold a massive nationwide protest against the move.

Government in November 2013 announced the scrapping of the allowance to
be replaced with a research and innovation Fund. An amount of GH¢3.75
million representing 25% of the earmarked funds, was in February
released for an account to be opened for the establishment of the fund.

The National Labor Commission has already interrupted an eight-day
ultimatum issued to Government by the University Teachers Association of
Ghana, UTAG, and has summoned the Ministers of Education and Finance,
to come before it for arbitration, and explain why the allowances have
not been paid for the 2013/2014 academic year.

National executives of POTAG at a news conference at the Kumasi
Polytechnic on Tuesday also issued a seven day ultimatum, asking
Government to pay their arrears for 2013/2014 or face their wrath.

POTAG also believes replacing the book and research allowance with a
National Research and Innovation Fund, could be a recipe for chaos on
the polytechnic front.

POTAG President, James Dubreh, said government has a week to decide and
also pay their allowances for 2013/2014 academic year or face their
wrath.

“POTAG wishes to express its dissatisfaction and unhappiness over
government’s obstinate attitude towards the handling of very mundane and
legitimate statutory responsibility. After several letters and
reminders from January 2014 to date for government to initiate steps
towards the payment of our book and research allowance, government has
ignored POTAG with impurity without due recourse members’ rights to
dialogue. The B and R allowance is part of the basic working tools for
the polytechnic teacher”.

“This allowance is not just given to POTAG members out of generosity or
because government have so much money to spare, but was born out of
necessity and through countless negotiations between POTAG and
government. It, therefore, forms part of POTAG members’ conditions of
service; and as such, cannot be scrapped either in part or in whole by
any one party”.

“We are by this press release giving government by 22nd of April 2014,
to initiate the processes to pay the allowances to POTAG members.
Failure to do so, government should be held accountable and responsible
for the consequences thereof. POTAG is prepared to divulge every arsenal
at its disposal to fight and defend this legitimate allowance. The
earlier government resolves this matter, the better polytechnic
education in Ghana”.